I recently passed the written and physical tests for a big department here in the Bay Area. I'm scheduled for an interview in 3 weeks and need some advice on what to expect. Some friends went through the process not too long ago, but wouldn't tell me about questions... only saying, "You'll do fine" as if that helps calm me. Hah.

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul0660:
You are going to sell it to the gun store?
Come ON. They will charge you for the KY jelly btw.

Study the city, in a general sense
Major airports? Seaports? Economical situation of the city.
History of the dept
How many beats/districts
Mayors name
Chiefs name
Know what "community policing" is, and what it means to you
What have YOU done to prepare yourself for this job?
Why XYZ dept?

1) Do not sit until they offer you or tell you to sit
2) Do not play with your hands or shake your knees during interview
3) Positive eye contact
4) Do not say, "I THINK OR I BELIEVE I will do........ Be CONFIDENT with your answers!!!!
5) Firm handshake after interview is over and thank everyone for their time

Most importantly.... DO NOT SHOW UP LATE and DRESS TO IMPRESS!!!!
No jeans!!!!!! Also, DO NOT ACT COCKY!!!! Just remember this.. you are asking them to hire you and train you to become a sworn officer in California..

__________________“Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life, but it ain’t how hard you can hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. It’s how much you can take, and keep moving forward."

**This one I agree. I had my panel interview last tuesday and I almost forgot about this tip. Good thing I remembered and just nonchalantly pulled my chair and stood right next to it and stood there until they both sat down and of course I waited for them to tell me to have a seat.

It also helps to know the agency's mission statement or their department philosophy. I was able to formulate an answer and incorporate my work
situation with the mission
statement. Most likely, they will challenge your answers to see if you will change them. They will be checking your thought process. Good luck!

Study the city, in a general sense
Major airports? Seaports? Economical situation of the city.
History of the dept
How many beats/districts
Mayors name
Chiefs name
Know what "community policing" is, and what it means to you
What have YOU done to prepare yourself for this job?
Why XYZ dept?

and lastly, try to speak slow, clearly, and breath! Good luck!

The above is excellent advise. Study the hiring bulletin put out by the agency. Most likely it will list personal traits they are looking for, like honesty. See how many you possess and be prepared to discuss them.

__________________
May I always be the type of person my dog thinks I am

There will usually be some hypothetical situations posed which are intended to make you think and react. They will modify the hypothetical after your first response to see if you are clever enough to react to a different set of facts, and to see if you are mature enough to change your position. Think before you speak, every time. Don't leap to the first and most obvious conclusion, rather wait until you have all the available facts.

There will usually be a question which measures your respect for the sanctity of human life. This is not the time to pose as Billy BadAss. Talk about the need to balance the need to enforce the law with the consequences. A lot of time this will be set in a scenario like a high-speed chase or a hostage situation.

One of the most important things to remember is the people on the other side of the table will be at least to some degree adept at detecting bologna (sp?). Don't try to fool them, don't try to outwit them, don't play word games. In short, BE YOURSELF!!!

Don't use words you don't fully understand, and always use the shortest, simplest words that express your meaning. Don't try to use the word "literally".

Don't make pop references. Don't use clichés or jackass words like "amazing", "awesome", "hot", or "phenomenal". Do not reference social media, politics, or any opinions you may have on current social issues. Your personal opinions are better left at the door.

Relax, look everyone in the eye, but don't try to bulldoze a bulldozer. Just be yourself.

Every department will ask different questions. I strongly suggest that you do read up on community policing and know the background of the department you are trying to interview for. Also common questions asked are why do you think you are suitable to become a police officer and what accomplishment are most proud of? A tip for the second question is to not say your kids if you have any. They want to hear about something that you worked hard for like getting a degree or something of the sort

Well, can't say the interview went perfectly, but it wasn't bad. Spent days studying hypotheticals, the city and it's mayor, thinking about career goals, and also my thoughts about myself and others. I expected to sit in a cold room with these gentlemen for over an hour, but I answered all their questions in about 8 minutes, with a 15 minute limit. Could have said more, but I didn't want to drag on my answers with BS words and other "fillers" to make the answer sound good.

Simple and straight answers.... we'll see if that gets me further.

I'm still bothered that the interview was so short because I don't feel that I gave off a good enough impression. Honestly, It's a BIG department, but I still expected more.

Honestly its no big deal that the interview was short. I had a classmate in the academy that told me his interview lasted about 10 minutes. Its not the length of the answers that they are interested in but instead its the content. If you answered the questions you will be fine. I honestly wouldnt worry about it much.

Well, my suspicions were correct. I wasn't "recommended" to continue towards the background process because my oral interview results were not up to their requirements, or maybe expectations based on other applicant's results. I'm still on the eligible list for another 12 months, but I've already started applying for another department. I expected this from the minute I left the room because 8 minutes can't be enough to explain myself or give a good impression... especially with 6 questions that were hardly related to what I was told/recommended to study. I'm a little sad, but still pushing on. I should have expected these results since over 7k people applied for 100 jobs in that department. Honestly, the failure doesn't upset me as much as the loss of 6 months and about $200 in gas, requests for paperwork, and other material costs. I answered the questions how I felt was correct at the time, but obviously it wasn't satisfactory.

__________________

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul0660:
You are going to sell it to the gun store?
Come ON. They will charge you for the KY jelly btw.

Well, my suspicions were correct. I wasn't "recommended" to continue towards the background process because my oral interview results were not up to their requirements, or maybe expectations based on other applicant's results. I'm still on the eligible list for another 12 months, but I've already started applying for another department. I expected this from the minute I left the room because 8 minutes can't be enough to explain myself or give a good impression... especially with 6 questions that were hardly related to what I was told/recommended to study. I'm a little sad, but still pushing on. I should have expected these results since over 7k people applied for 100 jobs in that department. Honestly, the failure doesn't upset me as much as the loss of 6 months and about $200 in gas, requests for paperwork, and other material costs. I answered the questions how I felt was correct at the time, but obviously it wasn't satisfactory.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Don't give up though. Every department is different and wants different things from their applicants.

__________________
I am a law enforcement officer in the state of Colorado. Nothing I post is legal advice of any kind.

If possible do a ride a long with the agency. A lot of agencies look at this as real interest in the department some even grade you better knowning that. Also the officer your riding with has been through the interview process so he knows things. When I was first applying around I ended up riding with a officer who sat on a oral board at a agency I had applied. So he knew my story and graded me great.

Well, my suspicions were correct. I wasn't "recommended" to continue towards the background process because my oral interview results were not up to their requirements, or maybe expectations based on other applicant's results. I'm still on the eligible list for another 12 months, but I've already started applying for another department. I expected this from the minute I left the room because 8 minutes can't be enough to explain myself or give a good impression... especially with 6 questions that were hardly related to what I was told/recommended to study. I'm a little sad, but still pushing on. I should have expected these results since over 7k people applied for 100 jobs in that department. Honestly, the failure doesn't upset me as much as the loss of 6 months and about $200 in gas, requests for paperwork, and other material costs. I answered the questions how I felt was correct at the time, but obviously it wasn't satisfactory.

Don't consider it a waste of time and money. You now have some experience and you can apply that to the next interview. Also, once you have gotten all the required paperwork, save it in a file. Most depts require the same stuff. Now you have it at your fingertips.

Gret avice given here, but I would add this; slow down!! Without even being there, I can probably state that you went too fast. I know I did on some of my interviews.

Part of what they want to see is your thought process. Listn to the question, make sure you heard it correctly and pause if needed to gather your thoughts.

They don't want to hear canned answer after canned answer. That gives them no insight into your tought process and it does not allow them see that you can think on your feet.

The brevity of that interview might suggest it was over before it started.

Guess number one would be: There were some outstanding resumes among the 7,000 other applicants that gave them a heavy or insurmountable edge over you before you even walked in the door. They may have been waiting for some pre-identified applicants that had already piqued their interest.

Guess number two would be: There was something on your resume that had them thinking negatively about you before the interview even started.

Eight minutes is barely enough time to get started. I have a hard time believing a trained investigator would make their mind up about a guy that fast.